New French Liner
The secrets of the lifeboat system on the giant liner Normandie were revealed during a miniature ’’lire drill” in St. Nazaire. There are no motors or oars in the boats, but a number of handles along each side, which connect with a propeller shaft. The passengers themselves turn the handles, and the boat is driven by this means at a fair speed. The fire alarm was sounded and the hundreds of workmen ran to the boatdeck. The boats hang from the davits in pairs—the smaller boat suspended inside the larger. Two of these were lowered, and the "passengers” were taken off without a hitch.
Each of the larger of the Normandie’s 00ft. lifeboats has room for about 00 persons, and the smaller type, 22ft. long, for 50 persons. The handle turning method of propulsion is practically unbreakable, and does not even need oiling, and lifeboats propelled in this manner move at about two and a-hali miles an hour.
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Bibliographic details
Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 132, 7 June 1935, Page 4
Word Count
161New French Liner Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 132, 7 June 1935, Page 4
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